Northern San Juan

You can trigger an avalanche where recently drifted snow forms cohesive slabs at upper elevations. The most dangerous slopes face the north half of the compass where drifted snow stacks above shallow, buried weak layers. On these slopes, avalanches that fail in the upper snowpack could possibly step down into deeper weak layers, creating a larger and more dangerous avalanche.

Stiff, hollow-sounding wind drifts that crack underneath you or your snowmachine indicate you have found a slab of drifted snow, and you should avoid slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. This week's strong winds formed big overhanging cornices along ridgelines. Give cornices a wide berth as they can break further back than you expect.